What is the Most Environmentally Friendly Way to Shave?

Two billion razors end up in landfills every year, generating tons of plastic waste and having a significant impact on the environment. Plastic disposable razors quickly become blunt and rusty, meaning most people throw one away every couple of weeks. Despite the short lifespan, many people continue to use disposable razors due to a lack of awareness about the more sustainable and eco-friendly razors that are available. You only need to head to your local pharmacy to see the huge range of plastic and colourful razors on the market that may look visually appealing but cause serious harm to the environment. If you’ve been using plastic razors for many years and are ready to start reducing your environmental impact, there are plenty of more sustainable and reusable shaving tools to choose from. The English Shaving Company stocks a wide range of high-quality and eco-friendly razors that allow our customers to reduce their carbon footprint while still achieving a close shave and enjoying a luxury grooming routine. 

What is the most environmentally friendly way to shave?

Here are some of the best ways to achieve an eco-friendly shaving routine… 

Use plastic-free tools 

First things first, find an environmentally friendly razor that works for you. Traditional wet shaving tools are ideal for doing your part for the environment — double-edge safety razors and straight razors are two great options when making the move to sustainable and plastic-free shaving. All the safety razors we stock can be considered waste-free, with the razors themselves having a long lifespan provided you care for them and store them correctly over the years. All you will need to replace is your razor blades, which are very affordable and can be purchased locally or online. When shopping around for a reputable safety razor to invest in, you can choose from a variety of metal types such as stainless steel, brass and chrome. By spending slightly more on a high-quality metal safety razor you can minimise your waste, cut costs over the long term and feel confident that you are carrying out an eco-friendly shaving routine. 

Recycle your blades

Although individual metal razor blades can’t be tossed straight into your recycling bin, you can safely collect your used blades in a safe blade bank over time and recycle these in one go at a dedicated recycling centre. It may seem minor, but you can hugely reduce your environmental footprint by making small changes like this to your shaving routine. 

Shaving soap

Rather than using plastic bottles of shaving foam or liquid, why not opt for an eco-friendly version instead? We have a wide range of shaving soaps to choose from with options available in bars, sticks or stored in recyclable containers such as glass or tin that you can refill instead of throwing away. As more and more companies look to following more sustainable practices, you will find it increasingly easy to make your entire shaving and skincare regime sustainable. Long-standing brands like Muhle are even launching Organic ranges, which are free of harsh chemicals, meaning they're kind to the planet as well as your skin.  

Aftershave balm

Similar to your shaving soap, your post-shave skincare routine can be made far more sustainable and eco-friendly too. Rather than opting for plastic packaged products, browse The English Shaving Company’s range to find glass or tin post-shave balms and aftershaves to keep your skin nourished without impacting your environmental footprint. We recommend Proraso aftershave balms and lotions, which come in glass bottles and are also expertly formulated to suit different skin types.

Don’t over-shave

Finally, don’t put pressure on yourself to shave every day. If you prefer a clean and freshly shaven look each morning, go for it. However, for those that find themselves shaving every day due to societal pressures to look a certain way, you could try carrying out your shaving routine less often. By giving your hair and skin more time to grow and rest between shaves, you are sure to see an improvement in the condition of your skin while also reducing the number of razor blades and shaving products you dispose of each month. 

Start using an eco-friendly razor today!

The English Shaving Company has a wide range of safety razors to suit both men and women, whatever your budget. You can filter your options by brand, colour, material or price to find the right eco-friendly razor for your needs. To find out more about our range of safety razors or to benefit from advice on which eco-friendly razor to go for, you can get in touch with our friendly team, who will be more than happy to advise you.